Elected Officials

COUNTY’S NEWLY CREATED ADA ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS APPOINTED

COUNTY’S NEWLY CREATED ADA ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS APPOINTED

2001-08-20 00:00

Seven Doña Ana County residents who expressed an interest in guiding county government through the process of accelerated compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) have been appointed by the Board of County Commissioners to a new advisory board.The new county ADA Advisory Board members are:Rita Lyons, who is a secretary at White Sands Missile Range. She is a member of the National Management Association and the Association of Federally Employed Women. As a diabetic and a person recovering from a broken hip, she understands both visible and invisible disabilities that affect people in the workplace. She has a goal to educate others and to make a difference in our county.Mitchell Mauer, who works for the city’s water and wastewater department and has been heavily involved in civil preparedness issues for the past 12 years. As a manager and supervisor, he understands employment issues as they relate to the ADA, and he is eager to bring the expertise he has established within the city to assist the county in its stated objective to facilitate timely compliance with ADA requirements.Trudy Meyer-Arrieta, who is employed by the Doña Ana Branch Community College as a specialist in services for students with disabilities. She is heavily involved with educational outreach activities regarding ADA compliance issues, and she brings to the county a willingness to facilitate partnerships, identify compliance priorities and establish strong communication links with management regarding ADA issues.Kathy Thompson, who is a field office manager for the state’s Worker’s Compensation Administration. In her work, she deals regularly with injured people whose strongest wish is to return to work. She therefore understands issues of access and mobility. As a manager, she has time-management skills that allow her to contribute her time to causes about which she feels deeply in the community. She believes county compliance with the ADA is critical, and she comes to you prepared to roll up her sleeves and get to work.Samantha Ward, who is a self-employed ADA consultant who has managed several businesses, employed scores of people and served on numerous local, regional and state committees related to access and compliance issues. She has a working knowledge of the intricacies of the ADA and understands both the practical and philosophical thinking behind the legislation. She brings to the county an ability to help prioritize and meet needs while minimizing costs associated with compliance.Sherry White, who works in TRESCO’s employer-relations division. She is also heavily involved in the Las Cruces civic scene, with memberships in several organizations dedicated to bettering the community. Both in her personal and professional capacities, she comes into daily contact with people with disabilities, and she understands their needs, concerns and issues. She comes to the county as an advocate for the disabled who is committed to realistic goals for county ADA compliance.Lillian Gonzalez Brown has been appointed as the county’s ADA Advisory Board chairperson. Brown’s teaching and training skills are extensive and are focused exclusively on issues related to the disabled community. The breadth and depth of her knowledge, experience and accolades is indicative of a person who works hard to achieve realistic goals. It is the county management’s strong feeling that her leadership on this already-strong board will provide a catalyst for ADA awareness and compliance in the county that will place this organization at the forefront of counties in New Mexico.County Manager David R King said he thanks each of these people for their willingness to serve the county on this important board. With their help, King said, the rest of New Mexico will soon be looking to Doña Ana County as a model for ADA compliance.For more information, call county Public Information Director Jess Williams at (505) 647-7229. Residents calling from outside the Las Cruces area may call toll-free at 1-877-827-7200 and request extension 7229.